2012 Economy Symposium: Expanding the Economy
Expanding the Economy: Perspectives on Growth, Well-being and Prosperity
Presented by the Whitlam Institute in partnership with the University of Western Sydney School of Business
Wednesday 24 October 2012, InterContinental Sydney
"We are now at a cross-roads. An ongoing national conversation about what we can do to meet these challenges is essential – one that asks “How can we build and make best use of the social and economic infrastructure that will turn these sweeping changes to our advantage? How do we turn the challenges into opportunities to grow and prosper?
And how can these changes be supported and sustained?”
Dr Martin Parkinson, Secretary to the Treasury, 18 June 2012
This symposium seeks to contribute to the ‘national conversation’ Dr Parkinson envisaged. While economic ‘growth’ tends to feature in public discourse as a given, the reality is that economists and policy makers of various persuasions are struggling with a more complex set of questions and contested positions: most critically, is the current growth-dependent economic system sustainable and, if not, what are the options for adaptation or more comprehensive systemic change?
Speakers include:
Dr Robert Costanza, University Professor of Sustainability and Director of the Institute for Sustainable Solutions at Portland State University and Visiting Fellow at the Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University
Jim Murphy, Executive Director, Markets Group, Treasury
Jennifer Westacott, Chief Executive Officer, Business Council of Australia
Tim Lyons, Assistant Secretary (Policy & Research), Australian Council of Trade Unions
Miriam Lyons, Executive Director, Centre for Policy Development
Sheryle Bagwell, Business Editor, ABC Radio National Breakfast
